I. GENERAL INFORMATION
1. SOLICITATION NO.: 72038819R00003
2. ISSUANCE DATE: February 13, 2019
3. CLOSING DATE/TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: March 13, 2019 local time in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
4. POSITION TITLE: Rohingya Response Team (RRT) Coordinator
5. MARKET VALUE: GS-14 equivalent ($89,370 - $116,181 per annum)
Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value based on the successful candidate's salary history, work experience and educational background. Salaries over and above the top of the pay range will not be entertained or negotiated.
6. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: The period of performance is two years, with the possibility of three, one year extensions. The contract and extensions cannot exceed 5 years.
7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Dhaka, Bangladesh with frequent domestic travel as stated in the Statement of Work.
8. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: The successful candidate will be required to obtain a Secret level clearance.
9. STATEMENT OF DUTIES
POSITION INTRODUCTION
The Rohingya Response Team (RRT) Coordinator is responsible for coordinating USAID/Bangladesh Mission development resources, communication and strategy on serving the needs of the all communities impacted by the displacement of Rohingya refugees and issues resulting from the violence and ensuing migration. The RRT Coordinator will serve as the Mission's main point of contact internally for the development aspects of the Rohingya Response, working closely with the FFP humanitarian point person, and tasked with coordinating a multidisciplinary, whole-of-Mission response, that bridges humanitarian and development assistance, while also facilitating U.S. interagency coordination on behalf of the Mission, continuously updating Mission senior leadership on developing issues while communicating with Mission technical offices, the FFP humanitarian point person, and other USAID actors as needed. The RRT will also support and facilitate interactions with representatives external to USG including other international donors, implementing partners and the Government of Bangladesh. The RRT Coordinator will also support Mission office directors and technical leads on Rohingya Response by disseminating pertinent information, researching sector-specific concerns when necessary and ensuring a coherent, comprehensive, cross-sector Mission response congruent with existing strategy and agency directives.
As the RRT will be located in the Mission's Program Office (PRO), the RRT Coordinator will report directly to the Program Office Director, but coordinate closely directly with the front office. Under the direction of the Mission Director, PRO is responsible for overseeing the formulation and implementation of the Mission's strategy for Bangladesh and assisting to define the role and objectives of U.S. assistance. While the RRT Coordinator will report to the Program Office Director, the RRT Coordinator will seek substantial overlaying guidance from other office directors, especially the Directors of the Food, Disaster and Humanitarian Assistance, the Office of Democracy, Human Rights and Governance and Office of Economic Growth.
BACKGROUND:
USAID/Bangladesh manages an annual portfolio of $220 million in development programming that spans Democracy, Human Rights and Governance, Food Security, Economic Growth, Health and Climate Change. Bangladesh is a focal country for four Presidential Initiatives: Feed the Future, Global Health, Global Climate Change and Global Engagement with the Muslim World. The mission's existing strategy guides mission activities toward the overall development goal of making Bangladesh a ‘knowledge-based, healthy, food-secure and climate resilient middle income democracy.'
Since October 2016, the Government of Myanmar has deployed security forces, which have reportedly attacked civilian communities across the region, causing a massive exodus. In the past year, almost 700,000 Rohingya have fled into Bangladesh joining an estimated 200,000 Rohingya refugees who have been previously displaced by similar waves of violence. This tremendous influx of refugees has created the world's largest single refugee encampment, prompted an outpouring of global humanitarian response and effected substantial burdens on local communities in Bangladesh already severely strained with their own significant development challenges. In responding to the Rohingya crisis, it is paramount that the needs of Bangladeshis in the areas adjacent the refugee camps and otherwise impacted by the influx be concurrently addressed alongside those of the refugees.
As with many crises USAID to which responds, effective internal coordination of USAID resources between field-based operating units as well as external coordination between beneficiaries, donors, stakeholders and partners is paramount to meeting the needs of an affected population with a defined set of resources. Furthermore, bridging the gap between humanitarian assistance and development assistance programming becomes increasingly vital either as a crisis becomes protracted or if it gradually resolves.
MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The RRT Coordinator ("the incumbent") is responsible for managing a cross-sector, whole-of-Mission project for Rohingya refugee response efforts. The incumbent will ensure the effective management of Mission development resources provided for the response, including those dedicated to the host and impacted communities. The primary responsibility of the incumbent is to coordinate and monitor ongoing development programming, working closely with the FFP PSC who will coordinate humanitarian programming, and report on their implementation to USAID Mission and Embassy in Bangladesh, USAID Bureaus and other USG stakeholders in the U.S. and neighboring countries, as appropriate. Working closely with senior management officials, the incumbent will be expected to help planning and multi-disciplinary programmatic integration of humanitarian assistance with development and conflict prevention efforts. The incumbent will also assume leadership in designing new projects and activities. The full range of specific duties of the RRT Coordinator includes the following areas:
1) Coordination, Management and Supervision
● Represent Mission and USG interests as they relate to USAID assistance in the areas affected by the Rohingya refugee crisis with host government, donor and humanitarian agencies.
● As appropriate/assigned, serve as a point of contact for all issues pertaining to development response efforts in Cox's Bazar and Bandarban.
● Coordinate, plan, prioritize and accomplish sets of project deliverables and informational taskers related to the Rohingya refugee situation as dictated by the Mission's senior leadership.
● Facilitate communication among a diverse array of internal and external stakeholders to ensure effectiveness, non-duplication, efficiency and strategic coherence of Mission resources dedicated to the crisis.
● Supervise subordinate staff assigned to the RRT. The RRT as currently envisioned will comprise a three person team: this position advertised, a local hire USPSC Communications Advisor and a local hire cooperating country national Project Management Coordinator. The Communications Advisor and the Project Management Coordinator will report directly to the RRT Coordinator.
● Participate in and contribute to regular Mission staff meetings and interagency organization meetings with colleagues in other entities associated with the Rohingya refugee crisis, including but not limited to the U.S. Embassy in Dhaka, other USAID Missions, the U.S. Department of State's Bureau for Population and Refugees and Migration (PRM), OFDA, FFP, and Mission technical offices.
● Coordinate public messaging on USAID's efforts related to the Rohingya response with other Embassy and Mission personnel as part of a larger Mission communications effort on the Rohingya response.
● Working closely with the FFP humanitarian PSC, coordinate high-level and other USG delegations visits to CXB, and serve as the point of contact and/or Control Officer for the visiting delegations focused on USAID programming.
● Provide surge assistance to support other Rohingya response, emergency food and nutrition response efforts, as needed.
● Coordinate new programming for interventions targeted at Rohingya crisis-affected populations, including participation in design and procurement.
● Provide substantive 360 degree input for performance reporting of Mission colleagues as requested; train and mentor other staff as directed.
2) Rohingya Response Strategy, Analysis and Learning
● Formulate policy and make strategy recommendations to Mission and agency senior leadership.
● Collect information and perform empirical research to ascertain the scale, type and ownership of resources dedicated by all major donors to the Rohingya refugee crisis and ground-truth opportunities and challenges.
● Analyze all available data related to the crisis, including (but not limited to) field visits, meetings with USAID technical officers, evaluation reports, attending donor conferences and monitoring news sources.
● Understand how the humanitarian assistance relates to development assistance, identify gaps where USAID development assistance could complement other efforts and be able to serve as the subject matter expert for development programming for the Mission's combined HA and development assistance programming for the Rohingya effort.
● Disseminate information gathered in a way that is professional, accurate, appropriate, timely, digestible and convincing.
● Provide substantive recommendations to senior leadership on USAID/Bangladesh programming in the areas affected, including drafting contingency plans, introducing development innovations or proposing amendments/modifications to programming.
● Assemble budget and resource allocation information pertinent to the Rohingya crisis and adjacent areas in collaboration with the PRO Budget Team Lead and technical officers.
● Draft and disseminate site visit reports which accurately describe the landscape in the refugee crisis and in/around the affected region, collect and disseminate site visit reports from other USAID officers.
● Coordinate monthly strategy sessions to ensure adherence of the Mission's Rohingya response and associated resources to Mission strategy and USAID directives, following-up on after-meeting recommendations.
● Monitor, report and make recommendations on the implementation of ongoing programs in Cox's Bazar and Bandarban.
● Lead evaluation and learning efforts in the Mission with regards to the development programming related to the Rohingya crisis and associated development issues, by participating in evaluation scope of work and evaluation report drafting and peer review.
● Facilitate learning by decision makers and key influencers, including acting as Control Officer for visiting officials when necessary, preparing information on the Rohingya crisis in reports to USAID/W and coordinating communication products with the Mission's Development Outreach and Communications (DOC) office.
● As needed, and in conjunction with the FFP humanitarian PSC, oversee preparation of regular situation reports and fact sheets on the Rohingya crisis, including activity response updates, news and other information of interest to Mission leadership and technical officers alike, expanding or condensing information and collating for specific audiences as necessary.
Supervisory Relationship
The incumbent will report to the Office Director of the Program Office, consulting and receiving direction as necessary, but will be expected to directly and regularly coordinate with both the front office and the FFP humanitarian PSC. The incumbent will be provided wide latitude for the exercise of independent judgment and decision-making, will be expected to work independently, taking initiative in determining, planning and executing assignments.
Supervisory Controls
The Incumbent will supervise 1-2 staff, which may be a Foreign Service National, another PSC and/or an eligible family member (EFM).
10. AREA OF CONSIDERATION: This USPSC position is open to all US Citizens.
11. PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Frequent travel with field visits to refugee camps, remote villages and rural areas are required to successfully perform this position, which may involve varying levels of stress and hardship. However, external to that frequent travel requirement, the work requested does not involve undue physical demands.
12. POINT OF CONTACT: KMA Zubin Faisal, [email protected]. Please DO NOT send applications to this email address. For mailbox to send application, see section IV of this solicitation.
II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION
To be considered for the position, a candidate must meet the Minimum Qualifications listed below.
Education: A Master's degree in the field of International Development, Human Rights, International Law, Peace and Conflict Studies, International Affairs, South Asian Studies, Public Administration or a related field is required. A law degree (J.D.) with related coursework may be substituted for this requirement.
Prior Work Experience: A minimum of ten years of demonstrated successful, progressively responsible experience in project or program management, humanitarian assistance or international development is required. Candidates with previous work experience with an international development organization overseas are strongly encouraged to apply. Proven and convincing professional experience in writing reports (including substantive narratives), international development projects and/or humanitarian assistance, donor programming and budgeting is required. The incumbent must also demonstrate a minimum of two years supervisory experience or experience leading teams. Candidates with experience working in Asia, Bangladesh or neighboring countries are also highly encouraged.
Job Knowledge: The successful candidate must possess a mastery of international development and knowledge of how to coordinate activities across operating units, agencies and entities, and between development and humanitarian assistance resources. Excellent leadership and organizational skills within a multicultural work environment are required. Candidates with experience in planning, strategizing and policy analysis with knowledge of population migration /refugee assistance is highly encouraged to apply.
Skills and Abilities: Native level fluency in English (reading, writing, and speaking) is required. Given the nature of the position, demonstrated effective written and oral communication is a requirement. Strong communication, interpersonal skills, and ability to lead and work in teams required. Excellent organizational, critical and strategic thinking skills are required. Strong staff development and management skills preferred. Strong computer skills in the full range of MS software, including MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint as well as online tools such as Google Docs and Sheets are required.
Selection Factors: Determines basic eligibility for the position. Applicants who do not meet all of the selection factors are considered NOT qualified for the position.
● Applicant is a U.S. Citizen.
● Submission of a recent and current resume, with contact information.
● USPSC Application form AID 309-2. Applicants are required to complete sections A through I. This form must be physically signed and scanned. Electronic signatures will not be accepted.
● Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret level clearance within a nine-month period following the job offer acceptance.
● Ability to obtain a Department of State medical clearance within a six-month period.
● Satisfactory verification of academic credentials.
● Must not appear as an excluded party in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov).
Applicants not meeting minimum qualifications will not be evaluated further. Consideration and selection will be based on a panel evaluation of the Evaluation Factors (Section III). Please note that not all candidates will be interviewed or contacted.
USAID will not pay for any expenses associated with the interviews unless expenses are preauthorized. Reference checks may be conducted on those candidates selected for an interview. The candidate's references must be able to provide substantive information about his/her past performance and abilities.
III. EVALUATION & SELECTION FACTORS
Applicants who meet the Education/Experience requirements and Selection Factors will be further evaluated. Applications that do not meet the required minimum qualifications will not be scored. Candidates meeting the above required qualifications for the position will be evaluated based on information presented in the application.
USAID reserves the right to conduct written examinations and interviews with the top ranked short-listed candidates. If the interview is conducted, the interview will be one of the determining factors in the final selection. The most qualified candidates will be interviewed and may be required to provide a writing sample. Professional references and academic credentials may be evaluated for applicants being considered for selection. Candidates will be evaluated and ranked based on the criteria listed above.
Final offer for this position will be contingent upon approval of NSDD 38 from the Department of State.
NOTE: Please be advised that references may be obtained independently from other sources in addition to the ones provided by an applicant.
TERM OF PERFORMANCE
The base term of the contract will be for a period of two years, which may be extended upon mutual agreement and subject to, continued need, satisfactory performance and availability of funds. This position has been classified as equivalent to a GS-14 position in the USG Civil Service. The actual salary of the successful candidate will be negotiated depending on qualifications and previous salary history. In addition to the basic salary, differentials and other benefits in effect at the time and which are applicable and subject to change on a similar basis as for direct-hire USG employees will be added.
SECURITY AND MEDICAL CLEARANCE
The USPSC will be required to complete a full physical examination (including relevant immunizations) from his/her own physician and then obtain a medical clearance from State M/MED prior to service overseas. Also, USAID/Bangladesh must initiate a security clearance prior to the Contractor's travel to post of duty. Until a temporary or final adjudication of a security clearance is received, the contract shall not be signed.
If candidate fails to obtain a medical clearance within six months and a security clearance (temporary or full) within nine months, the offer may be retracted.
Candidate must not appear as an excluded party in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov).
IV. APPLYING:
Interested candidates must submit the following:
1. Eligible offerors are required to complete and submit the offer form AID 309-2, "Offeror Information for Personal Services Contracts," available at https://bd.usembassy.gov/embassy/jobs. Applicants are required to complete sections A through I. This form MUST be physically signed and scanned. Electronic signatures will NOT be accepted.
2. A cover letter of no more than two (2) pages that demonstrates how the candidates' qualifications meet the work requirements and a statement certifying the date and length of time for which the candidate is available for the position.
3. A curriculum vitae (CV) which describes education and career experiences and achievements. In order to fully evaluate your application, your CV must include:
a. Paid and non-paid experience, job title, location(s), dates held (month/year), and hours worked per week for each position. Dates (month/year) and locations for all field experience must also be detailed. Any experience that does not include dates (month/year), locations, and hours per week will not be counted towards meeting the solicitation requirements.
b. Specific duties performed that fully detail the level and complexity of the work.
c. Education and any other qualifications including job-related training courses, job-related skills, or job-related honors, awards or accomplishments.
4. Names, contact numbers, and e-mail addresses of three professional references from individuals who are not family members or relatives.
Offers must be received by the closing date and time specified in Section I, item 3, and submitted to the email address listed in Section IV.
By submitting your application materials, you certify that all of the information on and attached to the application is true, correct, complete, and made in good faith. You agree to allow all information on and attached to the application to be investigated. False or fraudulent information on or attached to your application may result in you being eliminated from consideration for this position, or being terminated after award, and may be punishable by fine or imprisonment.
To ensure consideration of offers for the intended position, candidates must prominently reference the Solicitation number in the offer submission.
SUBMIT APPLICATION PACKET ELECTRONICALLY:
Interested candidates should send above electronically to [email protected], to the attention of the addresses indicated below. To ensure that the application is considered for the intended position, please reference the solicitation number and title of position on your application and as the subject line in any cover letter. E-mail applications must be received by the closing date and time specified in the solicitation.
Attention: Supervisory Executive Officer
USAID HR Section/Executive Office
USAID/Bangladesh
Only qualified and shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Additionally, only candidates that are interviewed will be notified if the position is filled.
V. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS FOR PSC HIRES
Once the Contracting Officer (CO) informs the successful Candidates about being selected for a contract award, the CO will provide the successful Candidate instructions about how to complete and submit the following forms.
1. Medical History and Examination Form (Department of State Forms)
2. Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions for National Security (SF-86), or
3. Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions (SF-85)
4. Finger Print Card (FD-258)
Forms 1 through 4 shall be completed only upon the advice of the Contracting Officer that a candidate is the successful candidate for the job. Do not submit forms 1 through 4 with your application.
VI. BENEFITS/ALLOWANCES
As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a USPSC is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances:
1. BENEFITS
(a) Employer's FICA Contribution
(b) Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance
(c) Pay Comparability Adjustment
(d) Annual Increase (pending a satisfactory performance evaluation)
(e) Eligibility for Worker's Compensation
(f) Annual and Sick Leave
(g) Sunday pay
(h) Medevac insurance
(i)* Shipment and storage of household effects
(j)* Shipment of POV (Private Own Vehicle)
(k)* Access to Embassy medical facilities, and pouch mail service
(l)* Transportation to Post
(m)* Housing
2. ALLOWANCES*
Section numbers refer to rules from the Department of State Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas):
(a)* Post Allowance (COLA) (Section 220)
(b)* Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260)
(c)* Education Allowance (Section 270)
(d)* Education Travel (Section 280)
(e)* Post Differential (Chapter 500)
(f)* Payments during Evacuation/Authorized Departure (Section 600)
* Note: Resident Hire USPSCs are not eligible to receive these benefits and allowances.
Resident Hire means a U.S. citizen who, at the time of hire as a PSC, resides in the cooperating country as a spouse or dependent of a U.S. citizen employed by a U.S. government agency or under any U.S. government-financed contract or agreement, or for reasons other than for employment with a U.S. government agency or under any U.S. government-financed contract or agreement.
VII. TAXES
USPSCs are required to pay Federal income taxes, FICA, Medicare and applicable State Income taxes.
VIII. USAID REGULATIONS, POLICIES AND CONTRACT CLAUSESPERTAINING TO PSCs
USAID regulations and policies governing USPSC awards are available at these sources:
1. USAID Acquisition Regulation (AIDAR), Appendix D, "Direct USAID Contracts with a U.S. Citizen or a U.S. Resident Alien for Personal Services Abroad," including contract clause "General Provisions," available at https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf.
2. Contract Cover Page form AID 309-1 available at https://www.usaid.gov/forms.
3. Acquisition and Assistance Policy Directives/Contract Information Bulletins (AAPDs/CIBs) for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals available at http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs.
4. CIBs and AAPDs contain changes to USAID policy and General Provisions in USAID regulations and contracts. Please refer to the following link to determine which CIBs and AAPDs apply to this contract: http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs
5. ADS 309 - Personal Services Contracts can be found at: https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/309.pdf
6. Ethical Conduct. By the acceptance of a USAID personal services contract as an individual, the contractor will be acknowledging receipt of the "Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch," available from the U.S. Office of Government Ethics, in accordance with General Provision 2 and 5 CFR 2635. See https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/OGE%20Regulations.
USAID IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER: All qualified candidates will be considered regardless of age, race, color, sex, creed, national origin, lawful political affiliation, non-disqualifying handicap, marital status, sexual orientation, affiliation with an employee organization, or other non-merit factor. Management may consider the following when determining successful candidacy: nepotism, conflicts of interest, budget, and residency status.
Bid Protests Not Available
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